National park tourism in Arizona contributes $2.2 billion to state economy

Date: September 29, 2025
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DENVER, Colo. - The National Park Service reports that 11.3 million visitors to national parks in Arizona spent $1.4 billion in the state in 2024. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $2.2 billion.

"Parks have inspired people for generations and offer unique experiences, for learning, recreation, and renewal," said Acting Regional Director Brian Carlstrom. "Visitors come to parks for a variety of experiences and their spending supports the economies of gateway communities."

The National Park Service report, 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported provided $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $11.1 billion in economic output. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.7 billion in economic output.

An interactive tool enables users to explore visitor spending, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available on the NPS website.

To learn more about national parks in Arizona and how the National Park Service works with Arizona communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/Arizona.